Over the years, plenty of movies have featured classy casinos.
Sometimes they are nothing more than purpose-built Hollywood sets.
But sometimes, actual real-life casinos are used.
Here are four fantastic movies that feature prominent casino resorts.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Johnny Depp in Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas – Credit: Universal Pictures
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These days, you can experience the glitz and glamour of playing games in a casino without ever having to set foot in one thanks to online live casinos.
You can play games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette with real dealers at an online casino live.
With modern technology frequently used in films, you may think that casinos featured in movies rely on green screen technology.
But actually, many are filmed at real-life bricks-and-mortar casinos.
Terry Gilliam’s 1998 psychedelic black comedy Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one such feature film.
Based on the classic book by Hunter S Thompson, the story follows two journalists journeying through Las Vegas as they take more and more psychoactive substances.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was filmed at the Stardust Resort and Casino, which opened back in 1958.
Sadly, the casino was demolished in 2007.
The Man with the Golden Gun
James Bond in The Man With The Golden Gun – Credit: MGM
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James Bond has become synonymous with casinos, and some of the series’ films have actually been filmed at real-life casino locations.
In one of the best Bond movies, 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun, the Macau Palace was featured.
Situated in China’s version of Vegas, Macau, the casino was popularly known as the Floating Casino.
Yes, Macau Palace was a barge!
It moored in the Outer Harbor near what is now Fisherman’s Wharf.
It was the smallest casino in Macau.
But it was undoubtedly one of the most striking.
Its second deck was crammed with tables for games like baccarat and blackjack, and there was even a tiny slot games room.
Unfortunately, the Floating Casino closed in 2007.
But if you are eagle-eyed, you’ll be able to spot it in The Man with the Golden Gun.
Ocean’s Eleven
George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven – Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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Based on the Rat Pack film of the same name from 1960, starring Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean, this 2001 heist film can claim it was even more successful than the original.
How often can you say that about remakes? The 2001 movie starred George Clooney as Ocean, with an ensemble cast including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts.
The plot sees Danny Ocean planning to steal $150 million from a casino.
In real life, that casino was The Bellagio, on the Las Vegas Strip.
The design of the famous Bellagio hotel and casino resort was inspired by the town of the same name on Lake Como in Italy.
The Las Vegas Bellagio casino resort is famed for its elegance.
One of its most jaw-dropping features is its eight-acre lake behind the building and the Strip, where you can see the Fountains of Bellagio where water dances in synchronization with music.
So, if you want to follow in the footsteps of Danny Ocean, we recommend you visit the breath-taking Bellagio. Just don’t rob it.
Casino
Robert De Niro in Casino – Credit: Universal Pictures
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The original 1960 Ocean’s 11 was filmed at Las Vegas’ Riviera Casino.
But the casino resort also appeared in various other movies over the years until it was demolished in 2015.
Most famously, it was central to Martin Scorsese’s classic 1995 crime movie Casino.
The plot follows expert gambling handicapper Sam Ace Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, as he takes over the daily running of a mob casino.
The film was shot at the Riviera Casino at night when the entire casino floor was converted to a soundstage.
The real-life croupiers and dealers who worked at the casino were cast to play themselves in the movie, for a truly authentic touch.
Furthermore, actual guests of the casino were filmed, instead of getting extras on board.
The guests were not told to be quiet as Scorsese wanted to create a believable atmosphere.
So, the people you hear shouting happily in the background because they have won jackpots were actually winning!
Other movies that were filmed at the Riviera include Con Air, Jason Bourne, and the James Bond picture Diamonds Are Forever.
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[…] fans also love seeing the place Ocean’s Eleven was filmed at. It is The Bellagio, one of the top casinos in Las […]